Today, we’re talking about worldviews. Have you ever heard of “moralistic therapeutic deism?” It’s the tongue-twister term researcher Christian Smith coined to describe the religious beliefs of today’s youth. Smith found that teens’ religious ideas – regardless of church affiliation – boiled down to the following: People need to be “nice” to others, all “good people” go to Heaven, people can find God in their own ways, and God is distant and only really needed if there is a problem.
But this type of “feel-good” religion is completely man-centered. Per this worldview, God is nothing more than a genie in a bottle who exists to fulfill our wishes and can easily be put aside. However, Scripture is clear that we are called to serve God, and not the other way around! In fact, Hebrews 4:13 tells us that it is God “to whom we must give account.”
Moralistic Therapeutic Deism is dangerous, but we’ll discuss why another time. For more information, go to www.hopetools.net. Stay bold!
Carl Kerby is the founder of Reasons for Hope and co-creator of the DeBunked apologetic video series. His radio feature, Fast Facts, is heard weekly on VCY America, Saturdays at 9:25 AM Central.
